Welshpool's main street is set to be reduced to a single lane to improve safety, the Welsh Government says.

Work on the scheme, which will also see a zebra crossing built near the town hall and Brook Street and Union Street returning to two way traffic is expected to last between six and eight weeks - and could begin as early as April.

A consultation document by the Welsh Government said the move was designed to improve pedestrian safety as well as curbing inappropriate driver behaviour on Broad Street.

"The A458 trunk road is one of the main east – west links in Wales and passes through the centre of Welshpool," it said.

"A one-way gyratory system was introduced in 2011 resulting in the A458 traffic using Broad Street westbound, the main shopping street, and B4381 Brook Street eastbound.

"Concerns have been expressed over pedestrian safety along Broad Street as well as inappropriate driver behaviour through the main shopping area of the town such as speeds and undertaking as well as illegal double parking obstructing traffic lanes.

"The parking review report recommended that Broad Street be reduced to a single lane through the use of road markings to provide a visual narrowing of the carriageway from ‘The Cross’ signalised junction up to the town hall. In addition the section of road which currently has no on street parking near the town hall would be physically narrowed to 4.5m through the widening of the adjacent footways / paved areas allowing the installation of a ‘Zebra’ controlled crossing facility to replace an existing uncontrolled crossing point.

"As part of the assessment of the one-way system an option for the east end of Brook Street to revert back to two-way was proposed. This would require the removal of the current right turn lane from Union Street into Church Street, resulting in travellers heading towards ‘The Cross’ signalised junction having to negotiate the one-way system via Church Bank and Mill Lane."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister for Economy and Transport has approved the implementation of changes to the existing one way system in Welshpool along Brook Street and Broad Street which will improve safety, reduce congestion and help resolve parking issues which have previously been expressed by businesses and residents.

"The construction phase could start in April subject to a successful tender process and an agreed programme being put in place once a tenderer has been awarded the contract.”